Three Questions – Leo Tolstoy
(Complete Study Notes for HS Semester 4 – WBCHSE)
✦ About the Author – Leo Tolstoy
Leo Tolstoy (1828–1910) was one of the greatest Russian novelists, essayists, and philosophers. His famous works include War and Peace and Anna Karenina. Tolstoy’s writings focus deeply on morality, truth, humanism, and the spiritual purpose of life.
In “Three Questions,” Tolstoy explores the meaning of life through simplicity, wisdom, and human compassion.
✦ Summary of the Story (in English & Bengali Mixed)
The story “Three Questions” is about a king who wanted the answers to three important questions to succeed in life:
1️⃣ What is the right time to begin everything?
2️⃣ Who are the most important people to work with?
3️⃣ What is the most important thing to do?
The king first asked learned men, philosophers, and hermits in his kingdom, but none gave satisfactory answers. Finally, he decided to visit a wise hermit, who lived in the forest and never left his hut.
When the king met the hermit, he repeated his three questions but got no direct answer. Instead, the hermit kept digging the ground. The king helped him dig. Suddenly, a wounded man came running — he was bleeding badly. The king saved his life by cleaning and dressing his wound. Later, it was revealed that the man was his enemy who had planned to kill the king but was instead saved by him.
In the end, the hermit revealed the answers:
- The most important time is now, because it is the only time we have control over.
- The most important person is the one with whom we are at that moment.
- The most important thing to do is to do good to that person.
Moral: Life is about living in the present, being kind, and doing good.
✦ Detailed Bengali Explanation (বিস্তারিত বিশ্লেষণ)
কাহিনির মূল ভাব হলো — জীবনের আসল অর্থ কীভাবে সঠিক সময়, সঠিক মানুষ এবং সঠিক কাজের মাধ্যমে নির্ধারিত হয়। রাজা তিনটি প্রশ্নের মাধ্যমে জীবনের সঠিক দিশা খুঁজতে চেয়েছিলেন। কিন্তু জ্ঞানের অহংকারে নয়, বরং অভিজ্ঞতা ও মানবতার মধ্যে তিনি উত্তর খুঁজে পান।
শেষ পর্যন্ত তিনি বুঝতে পারেন — বর্তমান মুহূর্তই সর্বাধিক গুরুত্বপূর্ণ, সেই মুহূর্তে উপস্থিত মানুষই সর্বাধিক প্রয়োজনীয়, এবং তার প্রতি সৎ কাজ করাই জীবনের আসল উদ্দেশ্য।
এই কাহিনি মানুষকে শেখায়, অহংকার নয়, বিনয় ও মানবিকতাই জীবনের সাফল্যের মূল চাবিকাঠি।
✦ Important Word Meanings (Table Form)
| English Word | Bengali Meaning |
|---|---|
| Hermit | সন্ন্যাসী / নির্জনবাসী |
| Wisdom | প্রজ্ঞা / জ্ঞান |
| Compassion | সহানুভূতি |
| Forgiveness | ক্ষমাশীলতা |
| Wound | ক্ষত |
| Revenge | প্রতিশোধ |
| Purpose | উদ্দেশ্য |
✦ Theme of the Story (মূল ভাব)
The central theme of “Three Questions” is the importance of living in the present and doing good deeds. Tolstoy shows that time, people, and actions are interconnected — every moment of life is meaningful when we act with kindness and awareness.
বাংলায় বলা যায় — জীবনের তিনটি গুরুত্বপূর্ণ দিক হলো বর্তমান সময়, উপস্থিত মানুষ, এবং তার প্রতি সৎ কাজ। এভাবেই মানুষ জীবনের সফলতা অর্জন করে।
✦ Character Sketch (চরিত্র বিশ্লেষণ)
The King: Wise and thoughtful ruler, eager to find truth. Represents human curiosity and the desire to do good.
The Hermit: Symbol of simplicity, spirituality, and true wisdom. He guides the king indirectly toward realization.
The Bearded Man: Symbolizes forgiveness and redemption — hatred turns to love through compassion.
✦ Moral of the Story (নৈতিক শিক্ষা)
✔ The best time is now.
✔ The most important person is the one you are with.
✔ The most important thing is to do good.
বাংলায় –
“বর্তমানই জীবনের শ্রেষ্ঠ সময়, উপস্থিত মানুষই গুরুত্বপূর্ণ, আর তার প্রতি সৎ কাজ করাই সর্বোত্তম কর্তব্য।”
✦ Important 2 Marks Questions (দুই নম্বরের প্রশ্ন)
❖ Who wrote “Three Questions”?
→ Leo Tolstoy.
❖ What were the three questions of the king?
→ The right time to begin, the right person, and the right thing to do.
❖ Whom did the king visit for his answers?
→ A wise hermit.
❖ Who was the wounded man?
→ The king’s enemy.
❖ What did the hermit finally teach the king?
→ To live in the present, be kind, and do good.
✦ Important 6 Marks Questions (ছয় নম্বরের প্রশ্ন)
Q1. What are the three questions that the king wanted to be answered and how were they answered?
Answer:
The king wanted to know the best time to begin, the best person to work with, and the best thing to do. The hermit helped the king realize the truth through experience. The wounded man’s incident made him understand that the best time is now, the most important person is the one present with you, and the best thing is to do good.
Q2. Describe how the king learned the answers to his three questions.
Answer:
The king met the hermit who refused to answer directly but made the king realize the truth through his actions. By saving the wounded man, the king discovered the value of time, humanity, and compassion. Finally, the hermit revealed that the answers were already in his actions — the present moment, helping others, and doing good are the real essence of life.
✦ Conclusion (উপসংহার)
Tolstoy’s “Three Questions” is a timeless lesson in simplicity and human values. The story inspires us to live meaningfully, with compassion and mindfulness in every moment.
.png)
Social Platforms